for “cool, inclusive consideration of the trade-offs.” Far more likely, however, will be “a coast-to-coast screaming match as Conservatives fan fears of job losses and terror strikes while opposition parties pound their patriotism and wave red resource flags.” He is quite correct.

the timing is downright perfect for Mr. Harper and Mr. Obama to discuss Canada’s vast oil and energy reserves, “given the escalating uncertainty in the Middle East.” Now is “the time to make Canada’s case as a growing, predictable supplier.”And … oh, this is rich: the

why Israel is so leery of regime change in Egypt, despite the fact that Egyptian and Israeli elites get along rather well — basically, whereas an autocrat like Mubarak can exploit anti-Israeli sentiment in the population as “a scapegoat upon which to deflect popular frustration,” but keep it in check, a democratic government might feel itself beholden to act upon that sentiment. Too bad, says Kay. Israel “is not only a democracy but also … a self-professed ‘light unto the nations.’ Now that the light of freedom is finally illuminating Cairo and Tunis, it belittles Ben-Gurion’s successors to insist that darkness better suits the Arab complexion.” Besides which, he notes, the Middle East is relatively quiet these days. Probably better to come to terms with Arab democracy today rather than tomorrow.

Also well worth reading on Egypt are the considerably more pessimistic

for an end to “weather porn.” “Everybody here laughs at the weather hysteria on TV. … And yet a lot of things are closed. A lot of people didn’t go to work.” This isn’t good! It’s a funny thing. Normally we’d be in total agreement. But in this case, it was a reasonable-sized storm that was supposed to be much bigger, and people took what we think were fairly reasonable precautions. If people didn’t go to work, they’ll work harder the rest of the week. It isn’t really that big a deal if you stay away from CP24 … which Doyle seems to be unable to do.

of the Toronto police officer who now faces charges in connection to two alleged assaults during the G20 summit. The whole system is designed to shield cops’ identities and protect them from prosecution — “compare [this] situation to the three TTC bus drivers who were summarily fired this week for allegedly texting behind the wheel,” DiManno aptly suggests — and it’s worked remarkably well despite all the photo and video evidence from that weekend. But for no particularly compelling reason, Mr. Andalib-Goortani “fell through cracks so carefully sealed,” and now everyone knows who he is. Boo frickety hoo.

Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois’ public pledge to negotiate with Ottawa for new provincial powers in bad faith, in hopes her requests will be refused and “fan the flames” of sovereignty, to Jacques Parizeau’s statement that “once Quebecers voted Yes, they would be no more able to turn back than lobsters who entered a trap.” Which is to say, she’s seriously undermined her credibility both in Ottawa — which would have a perfect excuse to tell Premier Marois to jump in the river — and among voters who aren’t hardline sovereigntists. As for the true believers: “If Marois is willing to admit that the PQ’s program shouldn’t be taken at face value,” asks Macpherson, “how can its members trust her not to deceive them?”